[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 17279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9713]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 040996C]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of application for an experimental fishing
permit.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of an application from Mr. David
Fraser (applicant) for an experimental fishing permit (EFP). If
granted, the EFP would authorize an investigation about the viability
of using pelagic trawl gear to conduct directed fisheries on rockfish
species in the Gulf of Alaska. It is intended to promote the objectives
of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).
ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP application are available by writing to
Steven Pennoyer, Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Berg, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish
of the Gulf of Alaska and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR part
672 authorizes issuance of EFPs to allow fishing that would otherwise
be prohibited. The procedures for issuing EFPs are contained in the
regulations at Sec. 675.6. NMFS received a request from the applicant
on December 26, 1995, that, if approved would provide specified amounts
of groundfish species for purposes of being harvested with pelagic
trawl gear to demonstrate the feasibility of catching certain rockfish
which otherwise are harvested with bottom trawl gear. The requested
amounts are as follows:
Pacific ocean perch - 75 metric tons (mt),
Yellowtail rockfish - 75 mt,
Widow rockfish - 150 mt, and
Other rockfish - 75 mt.
In accordance with regulations, NMFS has determined that the
proposal warrants further consideration and has initiated consultation
with the Council by forwarding the application to it. The Council will
consider the EFP application during its April 17-22, 1996, meeting and
has invited the applicant to appear in support of the application if
the applicant desires. The meeting will be held at the Anchorage Hilton
Hotel, Anchorage, Alaska under agenda item D-1(d).
A copy of the application is available for review from the NMFS
Regional Director (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seg.
Dated: April 12, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9713 Filed 4-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
